If you’re looking for an unforgettable foodie destination for your next weekend getaway, look no further than Thurston County. Whether you’re staying in Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey, or one of the other small communities in the area, there are lots of cozy restaurants, cafés, bars, and award-winning wineries where food enthusiasts of all kinds can sit back, relax, and indulge their tastebuds in a variety of flavors.

Emily Brooks, director of marketing for Experience Olympia & Beyond shared, “Food is really at the heart of Thurston County, with an incredible number of independently owned, chef-driven restaurants. The spaces are warm and intimate, and the menus are built around local ingredients. It’s that mix of creativity and comfort that makes people fall in love with our food scene and area.”

Must-Visit Restaurants and Cafés:
Foodies unite! There are so many different delectable restaurants and cafés to choose from that are simply unlike any other in the country.

Whether you’re looking for a fine dining destination in a historic building like Gardner’s Restaurant, a drink overlooking Capital Lake at a swanky wine bar like Swing Wine Bar, authentic Italian food from the heart at Bacco Trattoria Italiana, upscale Middle Eastern food from the Nineveh Assyrian Restaurant, a pastry and warm cup of freshly roasted coffee from Fog & Fern Coffee House, Olympia Coffee Roasting, or  Masonry Café, or an inviting café experience at Just Cuz Café, there is no shortage of good eats to experience.

Unique Bars and Tasting Rooms:
With Washington’s array of Northwest-style ales and delicious wines, beer and wine lovers will enjoy sampling new beverages in a cozy atmosphere. In Lacey, enjoy Stottle Winery’s exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of the state.

Olympia’s Shiny Prize has a cocktail menu that will awaken your tastebuds, whereas Mount Olympus Brewing in the Tumwater Craft District will delight beer lovers with 16 taps, including ciders from local cideries, a house-brewed hard seltzer, guest taps from neighboring breweries, and 10 exclusive brews of their own.

Cozy Accommodations:
Culinary adventures yield full bellies that require rest in between meals. So, extend your travel with a getaway to one of the area’s comfortable inns, spas, or cozy bed and breakfast locations, like the Swantown Inn or The Marie Bed & Breakfast. 

After you treat yourself to a mouthwatering meal and a nap, take some time to enjoy the beauty of the area with a stop to Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls or Percival Landing. Or, map out a longer trip through the Thurston Bountiful Byway, a 60-mile loop through rural parts of the county with more than 50 stops featuring great food, authentic agritourism experiences, friendly towns, recreational destinations, and much more.

So, no matter what kind of adventure you’re craving – culinary or otherwise – you belong here in Thurston County.

Brooks said, “Even though we’re the capital of Washington, there’s an easygoing energy here, it’s not a big city feel. It’s vibrant yet approachable, with room to breathe and explore.”